xii REPORTS OF DELEGxVTES. 



HAMPDEN EAST. 



The annual exhibition of the Hampden East Society, was held on 

 its grounds in Palmer, on the 8th and 9th of October, 



The morning of the first day was one of the most unpropitious of 

 the season, a heavy rain falling all the early part of the forenoon, 

 and we feared a failure of the exhibition ; but when we arrived on 

 the ground, between nine and ten o'clock, we found the farmers had 

 pushed out and were determined to have a show. The ladies had 

 also braved rain and mud, and were filling the hall with plants and 

 bouquets, and adorning it with articles of utility and beauty. 



This society' has recently sold the grounds they formerly occupied, 

 and purchased new ones which are well located and finel}' adapted 

 to meet their wants. A new hall has been erected for the use of the 

 society ; the lower stor}- for the display of the various industries, 

 and the upper, we presume, as a place to satisfy the "inner man," 

 and where the " flow of soul " would stimulate to new activities. 

 "We understand that the unfinished condition of the upper room 

 prevented it from being occupied for either of the above mentioned 

 purposes on the present occasion, and necessitated the use of a 

 hotel in its stead. 



Your delegate was received by the officers of this society with 

 every mark of attention and courtesy, and every means in their 

 power was afforded him to make a fair estimate of all the elements 

 represented, — the general prosperity of the society, and its reflex 

 influence upon the agricultural communit}' in this part of the State. 

 The cattle-pens were well filled with the various breeds of cattle ; 

 mostl}' being grade Durhams and Ayrshires, with an occasional 

 Devon and Jerse}'. 



A valuable contribution to this department was made by Dr. 

 Wakefield, of the state primar}' school, Monson, of a herd of twent}' 

 cows, — mostly grade Durhams and Ayrshires. This herd was one 

 of the best, considering its size, that is often seen, and reflects much 

 credit on the superintendent for his good judgment in the selection 

 of stock. Its exhibition at the fair gave the farmers an opportunit}'^ 

 to judge correctly the appearance of good milkers ; each cow's milk 

 is alwa^'s weighed night and morning, and a record made ; the poor 

 ones are disposed of and onl}^ the best kept. We might mention 

 the merits of the herd of Mr. Graves and others, but it must suffice 

 for us to say that we believe there was a fair representation of all 

 the various kinds of stock kept in this vicinity, which, however, 

 does not appear to be so large in numbers, or so high a quality, as 

 a whole, as in some other parts of the State. The ploughing and 



